Electric switch



Oct. 18, 1932.

G. J. MEUER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 10, 1931 Patented Oct. 18, 1932 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE J. MEUER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO CUTLER-HAMMER, INQ, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed April 10, 1931. Serial No. 528,993.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified snap action mechanism for electric switches of relatively low current carrying capacity.

Another object is to provide anovel form of stationary contact and terminal members which may be readily attached edgewise to a suitable insulating base.

Another and more specific object is to provide a switch employing a cylindrical roller contactor and having stationary contacts and an actuating lever of novel form for conjointly insuring snap movement of the contactor to eachof its opposite extreme positions.

Another object is to generally improve the details of'co'nstruction, assembly and operation of the switch parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates certain embodiments of the invention which-will now be described, it being understoodthat the embodiments illustrated are susceptible of modification without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

a In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view, in separated relation, of the parts of a single-circuit controlling switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a View, partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation, of the switch shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a switch base and contact and terminal members similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, but modified to provide a switch of the multiple-circuit controlling type.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of another modified form of switch, with one side of the switch housing and the insulating lining therefor broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in vertical section 53 and partly in side. elevation, illustrating another modified form of switch embodying my invention.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the switch base and contact and terminal parts illustrated in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the cooperating parts on the base and housing whereby these parts are secured to each other.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates the switch base which preferably consists of a flat punched plate of suitable insulating material, such as bakelite which is a resinous condensation product of phenol and formaldehyde. If desired, however, the base 10 might be punched from a plate of other insulating material, such as a relatively tough and substantially rigid fiber board.

Base 10 is provided with six openings, preferably rectangular, arranged as shown at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Positioned edgewise upon base 10 are a pair of one-piece combined contact and terminal members 17 and 18, said members having integral lugs 17 and 18 which extend downwardly through the respective openings 16 and 13 and are riveted over the bottom surface of base 10, as shown in Fig. 2. Members 17 and 18 are further provided with lugs 17 and 18 which fit snugly within the respective notches 19 and 20 provided at one'end of the base,portions of said lugs being upset inwardly over base 10, as shown at 17 in Fig. 2. Members 17 and 18 are thus rigidly and permanently atas tached' to the base,the contact edge portions 17 and 18 thereof being of concave form to provide limiting abutments for and to retard or restrain disengaging movement of a substantially cylindrical roller contactor 93 21. While the contact portions 17 and 18 are arranged in fairly close parallelism, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, the terminal portions are offset outwardly from each other, as shown at 17 and 18, to provide proper end clearance for the shanks of binding screws 22 and 23.

The members 24 and 25 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are similar to the contact portions of m mbers 17 and 18 aforedescribed, the arcu- 10c ate edge portions 24, 25 functioning to receive and retain the contactor 21 but having no electrical function due to omission of the terminal portions. Members 24 and 25 are provided with lugs 24, 25 which project through openings and 14, respectively, and are riveted over the lower surface of plate 10 as shown in Fig. 2.

The members 17, 24 and 18, are spaced and alined endwise as shown, and to insure uninterrupted movement of contactor 21 from each extreme position to the other the adjacent edge portions of said members extend horizontally as shown a pair of punched sheet metal members 26 and 27 being positioned upon base 10 with their upper horizontal edges in flush and overlapping relation to the horizontally extending edge portions aforedescribed. Members 26 and 27 thus bridge the gap or form a straight track for cont-actor 21 while in nowise modifying the electrical characteristics of the switch.

Contactor 21 is provided intermediate its ends with an annular groove 21 which serves as a bearing for the punched sheet insulation actuator 28. The lower end of actuator 28 is referably enlarged .and of substantially oop-shape as shown to provide an opening 28 sufficiently large to permit assembly of contactor21 therewithin. The edges 28, 28 which are adapted tobear within grooves 21 of contactor 21 converge upwardly toward each other as shown, whereby a lost-motion and subsequent camming action of said ac tuator upon said contactor is provided. Also as will be noted edges 28", 28 are of arcuate form at the outer ends thereof to provide for positively initiating movement of the con tactor 21 upon a given degree of movement of said actuator 28 in each direction respectively.

The lower end of the loop-shaped portion of actuator 28 is located between and movable with respect to the parallel portions .of members 17, 18 and 24, 25 and is restricted by said portions to movement in a single plane. The upper end 28 of actuator 28 is adapted to fit telescopically within a recess 29 in the lower end of a lever 29,said end 28 having a lug 28 thereon which fits within and serves as a guide for the lower end of a coiled compression spring 30 whereby actuator 28 is continuously biased downwardly into engagement with contactor 21.

Lever 29 is provided with a spherical enlargement 29 which bears within a socket formed by the internal annular flange 31 in an externally threaded bushing 31. Bushing 31 is provided at its lower end with a flange 31 which is interrupted at diametrically opposite points 31 to accommodate the lugs 32 extending into the opening 32 formed in the top portion 32 of an inverted U-shaped stamped sheet metal housing 32. Housing 32 is provided with a similarly shaped insulating lining member 33, and flange 31 is upset over the lining 33 and housing 32 (as shown inFig. 2) to secure said parts to each other.

The parallel sides of housing 32 are each provided with relatively wide lugs 32 which are adapted to fit snugly within correspondingly shaped notches 10 on opposite sides of base 10. Lugs 32 are of a length substantially equal to the thickness of base 10 (as best illustrated in Fig. 8) and the same are respectively provided with relatively narrow extensions 32 which are bendable inwardly over the lower surface of base 10 to secure the latter to said housing.

Bushing 31 may be provided with a clamping nut or nuts (not shown) whereby onehole mounting of the switch to a perforated panel or other suitable support is effected. Lugs 32.cooperate with the lower end of lever 29 to restrict the latter to movement in a single plane,thus providing additional guiding means for the actuator 28. I

A switch mechanism of the character illustrated in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the members 34 and 35 (corresponding to the aforedescribed members 24 and 25) have formed integrally therewith the wiring terminal portions 34, 35 which are tapped to receive the binding screws 34, 35,said combined contact and terminal members being each attached at two points to base 10 in the manner aforedescribed.

The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is structurally similar to that shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 4 and 5, however, the flat punched insulating base 36 has attached thereto two pairs 37, 38 and 39, 40 of combined contact and terminal members the arcuate edge contact portions of which extend only a short distance above the upper surface of base 36. A pair of round-headed rivets 41 and 42 are secured to base 36 between the adjacent ends of members 37, 40 and -38, 39 to facilitate movement of the roller contactor 21 from each extreme positionto the other.

The punched insulating actuator 43 is of a form slightly different from the actuator 28 aforedescribed,and the base 36 is provided with a relatively narrow slot 36 to provide clearance for and to guide the actuator 43 for movement of the latter in a single plane. The lever 29 and bushing 31 are preferably identical with the corresponding parts aforedescribed, and bushing 31 may be attached to housing 44 and insulating lining, 45 as indicated. Lining 45 is preferably of greater length than housing 44 to properly insulate the latter from the metal strip or bus member 46 which is adapted to electrically connect the the terminal portions of members 37 and 40. Bus member 46 may .be rigidly and permanently attached to member 37, as by means of an eyelet 47 the binding screw for member 37 being omltted,

and the other end of member 46 being perforated to permit clamping thereof to the terminal portion of member 40, as by means of binding screw 40*.

The manner of operating the switch illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 will be readily understood. Thus assuming movement of lever 29 to the opposite extreme position from that illustrated, the ri ht-hand cam surface of actuator 43 will rlde upwardly and toward the left with respect to contactor 21, thereby increasing the bias of the aforementioned coiled compression spring. Movement of contactor 21 will be positively initiated by actuator 43 when the latter reaches a given position, and contactor 21 will be im elled with a snap action into bridging relation to members 37 and 38 by the aforedescribed camming effect thereon of the spring-biased actuator 43,such movement of contactor 21 from one extreme position to the other being facilitated by the arrangement of bosses or rivets 41 and 42. Contactor 21 may be moved with a snap action in the reverse direction by a corresponding movement of lever 29. The terminal portions of members 38, 39 and 40 may be wired in the usual manner to provide a switch of the threeoint type.

The further modified f rm of switch illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 differs from that illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 primarily in the form of the one-piece combined stationary contact and terminal members. Thus the flat punched base 48 has attached thereto three fiat punched sheet metal members 49, 50 and 51 of identical form,members 49 and 50 being positioned in longitudinal alinement and a relatively large rivet having a head or boss 52 being. located between and spaced from the respective contact portions thereof.

Arranged in longitudinal alinement with member 51 is a punched metal member 53 having an integral extension 53 which is in lateral alinement with boss 52. The arrangement is such that in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 contactor 21 is adapted to bridge members 49 and 53, and in its opposite extreme position said contactor is adapted to bridge members 50, 51 and 53. Each of the members 49, 50, 51 and 53 is provided with means to facilitate attachment of circuit wires thereto. In this form of the invention the insulating actuator 54 is preferably provided with an enlargement 54 of substantially circular loop-form to coact with the contactor 21, and base 48 is provided with a slot 48 to provide clearance for and to guide said actuator.

The switch housing 55 may be provided with a hollow boss 55* to which the bushing 56 is attached in a well known manner. Lining 57 is clamped in the position illustrated by assembly of the housing 55 and base 48, said lining being provided with a relatively of said contacts having concave upper edge portions to resist movement of said contactor from engagement therewith, a housing for said contacts, a bushing attached to said housing, a lever pivoted within said bushing, said lever having a recess in the lower end thereof, a flat punched insulating member having an upper end portion slidable within said recess, a coiled compression spring within said recess and tending to eject said end portion of said insulating member therefrom, said insulating member having a lower enlarged portion providing arms adapted to straddle said contactor, said arms being arranged to provide for movement thereof relatively to said contactor and the engaging surfaces of said arms converging upwardly toward each other to provide a camming action thereof upon said contactor to accelerate the movements of the latter.

2. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an insulating base, a plurality of contacts positioned edgewise upon the upper surface of said base and rigidly attached thereto, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor movable into and out of bridging engagement with pairs of said contacts selectively, certain of said contacts having concave upper edge portions to resist movement of said contactor from engagement therewith, a housing for said contacts, a bushing attached to said housing, a lever pivoted within said bushing, said lever having a recess in the lower end thereof, a fiat punched insulating member having an upper end portion slidable within said recess, a coiled compression spring within said recess and tending to eject said end portion of said insulating member therefrom, said insulating member having a lower enlarged portion providing arms adapted to straddle said contactor, said arms being arranged to provide for movement thereof relatively to said contactor, and the engaging surfaces of said arms converging upwardly toward each other to provide a camming action thereof upon said contactor to accelerate the movements of the latter, said arms also having arcuate edge portions to engage said contactor whereby the aforementioned movements of the latter are positively initiated.

3. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an insulating base, a plurality of 0011- tact members positioned edgewise upon the upper surface of said base and rigidly attached thereto, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor movable into and out of bridging engagement with pairs of said contact members selectively, certain of said contact members having concave upper edge portions to resist movement of said contactor with respect thereto, a stamped sheet metal housing for said parts, a bushing attached to said housing and having a socket bearing formed therein, a lever having a spherical enlargement engaging said bearing, said lever having a recess, a flat punched insulating member telescopically engaging the walls of said recess, a spring biasing said insulating member outwardly from said recess, said insulating member having a relatively large loop-shaped lower end to provide for assembly of said contactor with respect thereto, the wall edges of said loop-shaped end being formed to positively initiate movement of said contactor in each direction respectively and to insure accelerated movement of the latter under the bias of said spring, and means associated with said insulating member to restrict the latter and said lever to move ment in a. single plane.

4:. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a base consisting of a flat punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of pairs of punched sheet metal members positioned edgewise upon the upper surface of said base and rigidly attached thereto, the corresponding members of the respective. pairs being arranged in spaced alinement with eachother and the upper edges thereof being of substantially concave form, a cylindrical metal cont-actor movable from one extreme position to the other to selectively bridge the respective pairs of members, means providing a support for the contactor during movement thereof between the respective pairs of members, said means comprising a punched metal element secured to said base and overlapping the adjacent upper edges of said pairs of members in the horizontal planeof the latter, an actuating element for said contactor, spring means associated with said actuating element for insuring snap movement of said contactor into and out of engagement with the respective pairs of members, and wiring terminal means for certain of said members.

5. In an electric switch, in combination, a brldging contactor of substantially cylindrical form having a bearing portion of reduced diameter formed intermediate the ends thereof, a flat punched insulating actuator for said contactor, and spring means for biasing said actuator in a given direction, said actuator having downwardly divergent arms formed thereon to provide for bodily movement thereof relatively to said contactor, the inner edge portions of said arms being engageable with the bearing portions of said edge portions for engagement with said contactor to positively move the latter against the resistance offered by said contacts, and

spring means for continuously biasing said actuator toward said contactor.

7. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a pair of stationary contacts, a cylindrical contactor movable into and out of bridging engagement with said contacts, said contacts having arcuate edge portions to resist movement of said contactor out of engagement therewith, a flat punched insulating element having downwardly diverging arms straddling said contactor and forming cam surfaces to accelerate movements of the latter, said arms having arcuate inner edge portions for engagement with said contactor to positively move the latter against the resistance ofliered by said contacts, spring means for continuously biasing said actuator toward said contactor, and a pivoted lever telescopically engaging said spring and said insulating element to effect movement of said parts.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, an insulating base having stationary contact members secured to the upper surface thereof, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor movable into and out of engagement with said contact members, said contact members being formed to require upward movement of said contactor to effect disengagement of the latter from the former, an insulating actuator for said contactor, spring means for biasing said actuator into engagement with said contactor, said actuator being formed to provide for lost motion thereof with respect to said contactor .and having means for insuring the aforementioned upward movement of said contactor, and said actuator also having cam surfaces cooperating with said contactor to increase the bias of said spring means and to insure snap movement of said contactor in opposite directions respectively.

9. In. an electric switch, in combination, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor having an annular groove intermediate the ends thereof and a flat punched sheet insulation actuator for said contactor, said actuator being seated edgewise within said groove and having downwardly divergent arms formed thereon to provide for a predetermined degree of lost motion thereof in either direction with respect to said contactor and to insure a camming action thereof upon said contactor to accelerate movements of the latter in opposite directions respectively, said arms being also formed to positively initiate said movements of said contactor.

10. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, said plate having a notch formed in an edge thereof and an opening spaced from said notch, a relatively long one piece punched sheet metal contact and terminal member positioned edgewise upon the upper surface of said plate, said member having spaced lugs formed integrally with one longitudinal edge thereof and respectively extending through said notch and said opening beyond the lower surface of said plate,

said lugs being upset over the lower surface of said plate to rigidly and permanently secure said member thereto, the other longitudinal edge of said member being provided with an arcuate portion, and a roller con- I tactor movable into and out of engagement with said arcuate portion.

11. In an electric switch, in combination, a

base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of pairs of onepiece combined contact and terminal members positioned edgewise upon said plate and rigidly attached thereto, the contact portions of each pair being arranged in parallel relation with each other and in endwise alinement with the corresponding portions of the other pair, a substantially cylindrical spring-biased bridging contactor, the contact portions of each pair of members having concave edges to limit movement of said contact-or in opposite directions respectively and to retard the disengaging movement of said contactor with respect thereto, and a pair of punched sheet metal members having horizontal edge portions arranged substantially flush with the adjacent ends of said contact portions and overlapping the latter to insure disengagement of said contactor from one pair of contacts prior to engagement thereof with the other pair of contacts.

12. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a fiat punched plate of insulating material, a plurality of pairs of onepiece combined contact and terminal members positioned edgewise upon said plate and rigidly attached thereto, the contact portions of each pair being arranged in parallel rela tion with each other and in endwise alinement with the corresponding portions of the other pair, a substantially cylindrical springbiased bridging contactor, the contact portions of each pair of members having concave edges to limit movement of said contactor in opposite directions respectively and to retard the disengaging movement of said contactor with respect thereto, a pair of punched sheet metal members having horizontal edge portions arranged substantially flush with the adjacent ends of said contact portions and overlapping the latter to insure disengagement of said contactor from one pair of contacts prior to engagement thereof with the other pair of contacts, and an insulating actuator for said contactor, said actuator being located between the contact portions of the respective pairs of members to be limited by the latter to movement in a given plane,

said actuator inturn serving as a guide for said contactor.

13. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a fiat punched plate of insulating material, two opposed pairs of punched sheet metal contact and terminal members positioned edgewise upon said plate, said members having rivet lugs formed integrally therewith to provide for rigid and permanent attachment thereof to said plate, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor movable selectively into and out of bridging engagement with the contact portions of the respective pairs of members, a biasing spring for said contactor, said contact portions having concave edge portions to receive said con tactor and to restrain the same against movement under the action of said biasing spring, a fiat punched sheet metal bus member extending between and connected to the terminal portions of two of the opposed members, a substantially U-shaped stamped sheet metal housing for said switch parts, and a correspondingly shaped insulating lining for said housing.

14. In an electric switch, in combination, a base comprising a flat punched plate of insulating material, two opposed pairs of punched sheet metal contact and terminal members positioned edgewise upon said plate, said members having rivet lugs formed integrally therewith to provide for rigid and permanent attachment thereof to said plate, a substantially cylindrical roller contactor movable selectively into and out of bridging engagement with the contact portions of the respective pairs of members, a biasing spring for said contactor, said contact portions having edge portions formed to receive said contactor and to restrain the latter against movement under the action of said biasing spring, the terminal portion of one of said members being electrically connected with said con- GEORGE J. MEUER. 

